How to learn film editing and become a highly competent editor

Reader’s question:

What does it take to be a good editor, bearing in mind that editing should not be be taken for granted as people judge the film from the transition of scene to scene?

My answer:

Ah, one of my favorite topics!

I agree with the vital importance of editing — it is the very heart of movie making. This is why every serious director must also become a master film editor. I am a director who always edits his own work, and I learned the art of film editing concomitantly with learning how to direct. I recommend this path to every filmmaker, because understanding editing makes you a much better director, and editing the stuff you direct does produce significantly better results in the completed project. It simply gives you a much more comprehensive and coherent vision.

It is not enough to understand film editing: you must also practice, just as you cannot become a good violin player just by reading about it.

That said, here is how I learned film editing:

1. I read “Grammar of the Film Language” multiple times – the most useful filmmaking book I have ever read!

2. I watched my favorite films and spotted the techniques I read about in “Grammar of the film language.” Watching a film with the sound turned off is exceptionally instructive, because you will notice a lot more about the editing when you are not distracted by the dialogue.  I strongly recommend this!

3. I went back to “Grammar of the film language” and, having studied the editing of my favorite films, I learned even more from the book.

4. I then watched my favorite films again, and spotted editing techniques that I had not spotted the first time. I repeated this process several times.

5. I shot rough practice sequences with my camcorder and then edited them.

6. I directed, shot AND edited my first project, which was a 30-minute film. Directing and editing your own projects will teach you so much about filmmaking that you will absolutely vaporize other filmmakers who don’t understand editing – guaranteed! By the time I completed my first project, I knew 90% of the film editing I know now, because I prepared a lot and took it VERY seriously. Once it clicks, you’re sorted for life (but don’t stop growing!).

That’s how I did it – there is no magic to it, just lots of thought, study and practice.  The practical experience really is essential – studying the theory is not enough.

I hope this helps, and do keep me posted on your progress!